January 26th is to me the very first day of my Year. 26 days after the Gregorian Calendar’s New Year. 
In addition to being India’s Republic Day, celebrated on this date of 1950, and Australia Day, which commemorates the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788, I will fast forward on time and tell you why this date has a special place in my heart ( and I am also quite fond of India and Australia, so many places to discover!)
It is a time of spiritual awakening, reflections and a cold energizer, for whom is living in the northern hemisphere now ( and it is cold, trust me). Fueling on life, the first 26 days are somewhat analytical, where everyone seems to be observing days coming by and organizing activities, workload, courses, family trips, trying to set everything ready, because, deep inside, we know that we, as human beings, are subject to many change of plans, life, mindsets, surprises and unexpected events along the 365 days that we call “a full year” and that labels our time here on the planet.
With that said, every January is full of chocolate, family, boots and smiles, meeting new people and embracing new challenges. To me January 26th is also a special day to remember.
In my short life experience, two people that indelibly marked my life are Roberto and Giuseppe. Two wondrous friends, born on the same day on the opposite sides of the globe. Brazil and Italy. January 26th. 10 years difference more or less.
Two great friends that truly connected me to the world and made me feel I was attached to Earth with my feet. The two weights that balanced my crazy Libra sign. 
Two people who never met, but who have so much in common. First of all, the Smiles. Smiles of people who know the real meaning of life, who make efforts everyday . People devoted to work and to family, who deeply love life and celebrate it every day despite the hustle and bustle. Two people who, when they meet you, welcome you to their world with a huge smile and hug that you could never forget. They start by giving you chocolate, pocket coffee
in Italy and sonhos de valsa 
in Brazil, to taking your hand to their civic responsibilities for building a better world, all to way to opening their hearts to you, showing you the way of how to love and piano piano, to train you.
The training period can be long or short, depending on timing and circumstances. You may perceive it as deep suffering or extreme love, depending on your maturity level I would say. The final goal is the same though: they teach you what they know about human love and make you generate it into others. Like a light and a fire that never goes out and stays inside you forever. Without you even realizing it. They build the roots in you and you learn by looking at your teachers, your role models and examples of love in front of you.
It is so tough when you do not see them, because in our mind we think that if something or someone is not there, physically with you, it or she/he does not exist or is doing something else therefore she/he already forgot about you. Life is hectic and crazy busy, with time differences, seasons, politics, world happenings and personal life achievements and roads to take. However, even if you do not see, they are always there, close to you.
For you to imagine them, they both look like Roberto Benigni 
in a way, their tremendous sense of humor involves you, they make you laugh and they are able to turn misfortunes into fun moments. They care about you, as if you were a sister or a close member of their family. They trust you and they give you their full encouragement and support. They never ask for anything, also if they are suffering, and this is when their training comes into your life. If you are able to listen and to understand them, you can do it for others as well. They test you, so that you can see and exercise the art of love, and, as life goes by, you put in practice their life lessons, enshrined in your soul, and which will permanently stay.
Giuseppe used to tell me “Paradiso ( my last name), please get down to earth, don’t be so idealist!”. With this said, he has always tried to protect me from the bad side of the world, where wars, deaths, envy and jealousy predominate. He has always wanted to see me happy and fully satisfied with life, spreading kind words and meaningful and positive actions.
Roberto used to tell that love is invisible to the eyes, and it is in the actions. 
He showed me that we are all part of the same humanity and we MUST take care of every person. We are all interdependent and no one should feel abandoned or excluded. We are here to help one another, and solidarity is that what keeps us together.
Both of them taught me that unity strengthens us. If we are together, we can move the world forward for the better. WE can move mountains, change behaviors, teach love, care and happiness.
I would have so many stories to tell you, so many moments, so many minutes spent with these two incredible people. But as I believe in love and world interconnections, I will leave you with two songs that remind me of them, and which I hope you will listen and enjoy as I always do. Hopeful and confident that one day I will meet them again, despite the kilometers that keep us apart (for the moment); that they too will get the chance to meet one another and hug; and that you, who are reading this post, can have the chance to meet them. A new world encounter. Ready to open our hands to the infinite possibilities that life gives us.
Ti sento– Ligabue
Oração ao tempo– Maria Gadù
And this is my song for you Roberto & Giuseppe:
True Love– Coldplay
Happy Birthday! Buon compleanno!!! Feliz Aniversário!
A huge hug from Ostia-Roma! ( picture taken 2 days ago 🙂 )
Grazie di tutto!! Obrigada por tudo!!
The Lighthouse 